Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. A. Oğuz Tanrıdağ gave information about the differences and similarities of Alzheimer's disease and other neurological diseases. Tanrıdağ stated that the information on the differences and similarities between Alzheimer's disease and other neurological diseases will constitute the content of a comprehensive book and said, "Moreover, for such information, it is not enough to be only a neurologist, but also psychiatry, internal medicine and genetics expertise." said.
Prof. Dr. Tanrıdağ said, “In short, the most important difference of Alzheimer's disease from other neurological diseases; It does not affect the relations of the brain with the body, but affects the mental functions of the brain, especially memory, as well as causing disorders in behavior and daily living habits. This is because the disease affects the regions of the brain related to mental functions. "The most important of these is that the disease starts in the hippocampus, located in the temporal lobes, which is related to recent memory, and progresses through connection pathways." he said.
“The appearance and neurological examination of an Alzheimer's patient are different.”
Stating that these features make the appearance and neurological examination of an Alzheimer's patient different from Parkinson's disease, MS, ALS, stroke, epilepsy, muscle and nerve diseases, Tanrıdağ said, "The most important issue that concerns neurologists and psychiatrists only in terms of the possibility of Alzheimer's is that the usual neurological examination in this disease is normal." This situation leads to diagnostic confusion in practice and results in early and middle stage patients being thought to be normal or depressed. Therefore, a normal neurological examination does not exclude the patient from the possibility of Alzheimer's and requires additional examinations.” made the statement.
“Brain check-up examinations should be performed for Alzheimer's diagnosis”
Prof. also explained the additional tests to be performed when there is a possibility of Alzheimer's. Dr. Tanrıdağ stated the following:
“These examinations are brain imaging, computerized EEG and neuropsychological tests. Therefore, the diagnosis of Alzheimer's cannot be made only by neurological examination, it requires brain check-up examinations. In addition to all these, abnormal findings in neurological examination do not exclude the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Because Alzheimer's disease can be seen together with other neurological diseases. For example, strokes, head traumas, general anesthesia and infections in old age increase the frequency of Alzheimer's.”